Spotted Turtle

Clemmys guttata

  

What They Look Like

The Spotted Turtle is named for the rounded yellow spots on its carapace, on the top of its head, and on its legs, all of which are black or olive.  Its plastron is yellow or orange and they grow to be 3.6-5.4 inches in length. 

Where They Live

You can find the Spotted Turtle in the southern and western portions of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.  They live in shallow ponds, wet meadows, tamarack swamps, bogs, fens, marsh channels, sphagnum seepages, and slow streams.  Spotted Turtles require clear, shallow water with a mud or muck bottom and ample vegetation.

  

What They Eat

Spotted Turtles are omnivorous with a preference for animal food, they will eat worms, mollusks, crayfish, spiders, insects, tadpoles, algae, leaves, and water lily seeds.

  

Things to Know

This species of turtle is listed as Threatened in Michigan due to habitat change and illegal collection for the commercial pet trade.

Why We Have One

Our spotted turtle was bred in captivity so it cannot be returned to the wild.